Priyanka Bose on representing India on an international platform

“We have to aggressively stand up and say, ‘I’m here too’”

Post her Oscars debut, we met with Lion star Priyanka Bose to talk about her first Academy Awards experience.

How did your part in Lion come about?I read a small piece about Saroo Brierley and got really carried away. A unique story of survival and triumph. It shines a light on hope, adoption, love and the true spirit of human perseverance. I put it out there in the universe that if Hollywood picks it up, I want be a part of it. I put myself on tape, primarily because I’d read what Garth [Davis, the director] had written on Kamala. His description was so poetic. He’d spent so much time with her and even though they had this huge language barrier, he understood her essence. I really wanted to experience that. How do you find someone’s spirit without knowing their language or their pain? It was the best screenplay I had ever read in my entire life and seven-year career! I met Garth and fell in love with his vision.

You championed sustainable fashion through your choice of outfit on the Oscars red carpet. Is that an issue close to you?I was the face of Red Carpet Green Dress, bringing sustainable fashion to the red carpet. I’m getting familiar with couture and international designers but this was an incredible project to collaborate on. Vivienne Westwood designed my dress and she’s hugely known for her rebellious and eco warrior lifestyle. I try in my simple ways. I’ve given my car up. Bombay is hectic enough we don’t need any more cars. I eat consciously and think happy thoughts. And I try in my best possible way to nurture love and togetherness. That’s what RCGD stands and shines for.

What was it like watching the show and seeing that Best Picture moment live?It was beautiful and chaotic, sad and exhilarating. I was grateful to share that moment with my cast and producers. But at the same time it was kind of an energy shift with the goof up. It’s amazing to see it back on TV—the reactions and how it’s been recorded, but it wasn’t good for either party. In 89 years they’ve never made this mistake. After the Vanity Fair party, I ended up going to a private party for La La Land and thought, “I feel for you man”. They just handled it so well. It’s not cool but it was a technical fault. In a strange way when they said there’s been a mistake I was hoping they would say Lion’s name (laughs).

How does it feel to be part of the new generation of Indians who are making their presence felt internationally?I grew up without role models for me. But something shifted as soon as I had my daughter. I had to live by example and be a better role model because I’m raising a girl in an already fragile environment. To be broken is beautiful. As an actress, I am not scared to go down that route. And if that inspires someone, then wow. This year the Oscars were not only diverse in colour but the films are so different from each other too.

Right now we [Indian actors] have to aggressively stand up and say, “I’m here too, me too, this is my colour, I’m proud of it”. We are in a very good position. With Priyanka Chopra being the face of a big US show it really paves the way for that. Freida [Pinto] has been doing it for eight years. And I’m saying me too.